Well I will be going to college in the spring, and I need a new car, my Nissan Truck is killing my pockets!

I am torn between the xB, the tC, and maybe the soon to be released 2006 Civic.

I'm liking the tC, because of the responsive engine, and nice design and handling, but I'm not diggin' the kinda poor gas milage (for a 4 banger), nor the HUGE blindspots. yes, I have already test drove the tC.

I like the xB for its functionality, funkiness, and way better gas milage. I'm not liking the HUGE lack of power, nor that center gauge pod. I'll be test driving the xB tomorrow (ooh wait, it's today)

And finally from what I hear about the 06 Civic, is that it's going to have a great 1.8L i-vtec engine, and I'm diggin the styling. Can't go wrong with a Honda too (owned a 93 Accord before).



So I just need some input, tC or xB? This is such a hard choice!

 

There are lots of threads on pros and cons of all the Scion models. Just hit search button or browse recent posts in the forums.

I went from driving a large and now-boring 2001 Volvo S60 to a 2005 xB, and don't regret it for a moment. We bought a new Prius last year looking for better mileage and liked the Prius' technology and design.

I then started looking around for a replacement for my Volvo. Was thinking the Acura RL would be it, but then Scions caught my eye. xB is definitely different in looks and interior dash layout is unusual. I'll prob trade out the stock CD hu for something more functional, but it's useful enough for now. Test drive both the manual and auto. Good Luck!

 

Are you commuting to college?

My scool is 45 minutes away on a good day.
(No traffic, but that never happens)

I bought the xB because it gets insane gas mileage compared to my Explorer that I had.

If you're living there, and just need a car for driving around and such...get whatever car you could see yourself in for the next four years.

 

I'll be living in the dorms, but I'll be driving to Austin (about a 31 miles away) every couple of weeks.

And I've looked at alot of threads here, the pros and cons of each. I guess I'll know alot more once I test drive the xB.

 

Why does everyone say the xB is so down on power? I don't get it!!! It has plenty of power for what it is intended to do. Especially if you get the 5 spd. I say get a 5 speed xB and be totally happy. The Civic will just blend in with all the other modes of transportation. BLAH!!!!

 

lol. Well I just went to the Scion dealer, and I am in love! The xB is so funky. I really dig it. Too bad the only xB they had was just sold

But I LOVE THE xB!

 

Oh good!

Adding this much because I'm a fan of cheap, reliable wheels and -go power-.

the stock wheels and tires are OK because they are rugged.

if you hanker for alloys, OK! but IF you go to a larger overall diameter (radius, really)
you give up some percentage of acceleration and braking efficiency, in proportion to the size change, up or down.

The tire size calculator lets us punch in numbers to see what happens to
in comparing tuner rims and tires larger than stock, against stock. And compare what happens as we go to smaller tires and or wheels (it's the lever arm moment that makes these changes).

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

The smaller tire diameter is like a gearing-down of the car. It will zip to speed faster.
Also, the brakes are more responsive and powerful in like kind.

Big, beautiful rims with suited, stylish tires can and do slow up the xB and do increase the unsprung weight. So.... nothing is free of bad side effects.

My car has low profile tires on the steelies. It looks relatively funky/homely to the rim crowd. But I do beat 'em in all avenues of performance. Not that this is a goal; just an observation.

If you don't need rear passenger seating you can unbolt all that out in fifteen minutes and have a real, miniature cavern back there, and increase the gokart factor further.

have fun!
r

 

I think I'll just stick with the Alloy wheel option from the dealer. One question, when building my xB online, it said I couldn't have side airbags along with the autodim mirror, wtf?

now I just need to decide on a color. Thunder Cloud looked good, I like camo, and the Solar yellow is just too cool. I'm going to keep it light colored (I DO live in TX) so it's up between, White, Solar yellow, and thunder cloud.

 

wouldn't larger rim/tires beat smaller ones for top end. because in "gearing" and tire sizes when you decrease acceleraction you increase top speed. i dunno, oh well every avenue of performance

 

if you are a chick buy a tC
if you want to be different buy an xB
if you want to be trendy buy a civic

 

lol. Well last time I checked I was not a chick. Also I like to be myself, therefore no Civic. Looks like the xB!! btw, the more I look at the xB, the more I like it.

 

Got it brand new and compared to my beloved 85 325e 5sp i got in 99 found with 60k the beemer was like three times better and funner. I now have both a 03 corolla and XB. Both i like better than the older civic however the new civic looks to be a winner! I was torn between the Accord Vp i could get for $16,700 and my Xb for $15,300. I ended up getting the XB only cause they had one when i drove to the dealer lol. I went to the Scion dealer like Ten times over 2 months and they never had one available. If you want a serious nice freeway cruiser get the Accord if you want fun looks for college get the XB.

 

Please rethink the stock alloy route . For the price of the OEM alloys you can get some 17 inch alloys and tires. Plus they are the same height as the stockers so they won't affect your speedo or gas mileage. My 17 inchers only weight less than a pound more than the steelies so handling will only be improved with the lower profile tires. The ride is almost exactly the same.

 

I just want to keep the same gas milage and such. I wont be doing anything to it aftermarket wise for about a year.

 

Its not even a comparison. Definitely the tC. I get 30 mpg, which is great. The tC is better than the xB in every way except for gas mileage. And the only reason I could see you getting a box is if you want more interior room and really like a boxed shaped car that most find extremely hideous. But again, personal preference.

I cant tell you the responses I get from people when I tell them I have a Scion. They make a disgusted face and say "you got the ugly box"? I always have to explain myself, but they always jump to conclusions.

 

To answer your question about why they wont install autodimming mirrors and side curtain airbags at the same time, the reason is there is both a conflict in wiring room through the a-pillars, and also Toyota doesnt like to change interior options like that when adding curtain bags for legal reasons. Its really dumb. The dealership I work at wont install leather seats into cars with the BE (side curtain) option because if they dont deploy then the customer has something to blame it on. Totally lame...

 

Since you are 18, the xB may help you with insurance premiums. I have state farm. The xB is classified by the US Govn't as a Van so State Farm rated it as a Van=lower insurance.

 

Do you really want / need the stuff the tC comes with? Do you want to price the price of the tC + higher insurance? The lack of power you talk about with the xB, what kind of driving do you do? You should be more then able to keep up with the flow of traffic in city. Its just on the freeway where I would see the xB hurting a little. As for the new civic, that would be up to you. I can see it now, yeah that "nice 1.8L V-TEC" will probably be a option. Also if the new civic keeps with the way of the old civic. It will be a over priced pile of crap. MSRP like $14000 or so with no a/c, no p/w, p/l etc... As it stands right now, the current civic has the highest priced A/C option I have ever seen. So I my self would not get my hopes up, just so I could drive something with the honda badge on it.

 

The tC is nice and all but like chucksu said insurance will be much higher. The tC now looks like the G6 by Pontiac and now that the coupe hit the market it is really hard to tell the two of them apart. (clear ripoff on Pontiacs part)
Now that Nissan has decided not to import the Cube the xB gets to stay unique. I say go with the xB all the way.

 

It's definetly the xB. I am loving that car. I need to call the dealer to see when the next shipment is coming in so I can test drive it.

There is a package that includes 17's but I can't find any pics of them :/


I'm not even considering the new Civic, or the tC (too many rattles, and too little space). And hey, I'm a stocky guy, why not buy a stocky car?